Animation of water droplets moving down a surface

Rendering a scene containing water is among the most challenging aspects in the field of computer graphics. Researchers have developed a wide variety of algorithms for rendering water, but there still remain unaddressed problems due to water's multiformity and complex patterns of motion. This paper proposes a method for generating realistic animation of water droplets on transparent surfaces such as the windshield of a vehicle. One of the method's applications can be considered the animation of water droplets on a windshield, a process vital for drive simulators. The proposed method employs a particle system in a discrete environment to calculate the movement of water droplets on a surface, and environment mapping for indicating the property of transparency to quickly render scenes through transparent objects. Using the method, windshield wipers moving on a windshield and other obstacles moving against water droplets can also be taken into account. Fully computer-generated animations and video compositions of water droplets on a windshield demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed method.